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Irish music lovers flock home for Electric Picnic
BY SARAH O’SULLIVAN AT STRADBALLY HALL
 OVER
32,000 revellers dodged rain clouds over the weekend at Stradbally in
Ireland for what has become an international music festival.
Many Irish in London attended the Electric Picnic festival, now in its
fourth year.
Londoner Julian Green, serving up a vegetarian barbecue breakfast in the
campsite, compared the gig to Glastonbury.
He said: “It’s brilliant here, people are so friendly. It’s
just like being at Glastonbury but everyone around here is talking with
Irish accents.”
Galway girl Joanne McCarthy from Bethnal Green flies home to Ireland every
year for the boutique music festival.
She said: “There’s no way I’d miss it. It’s great
craic. It’s the best way to catch up with all the people you want
to see back home.”
Dan Cullen, also from Bethnal Green, said he’s never missed an Electric
Picnic and is already looking forward to next year’s event.
“I come home twice a year,” he said, “at Christmas and
at Electric Picnic.”
Sloane Square resident John Talbot described the vibe at Electric Picnic
with great enthusiasm.
He said: “It’s just not like any other festival. I love
it here it’s always nice to get away from the hustle and bustle
of London.”
What started off as a one-day dance music event for 10,000 has evolved
into an iconic three-day event with seven music stages and performers
spanning the entire globe.
Headline acts this year included the Beastie Boys, Primal Scream, Chemical
Brothers, Sonic Youth, Bjork, Mr Scruff as well as veteran rocker Iggy
Pop.
But the weekend festival was marred with tragedy when a
23-year-old man collapsed and later died in Portlaoise hospital.
Organisers Pod said they were deeply saddened by the tragic death and
offered their condolences to the young man’s family.
Plans are already afoot for next year’s Electric Picnic.
A Pod spokesperson said: “It’s just like a mini-Glastonbury.
You wouldn’t believe how far some people come to be here.” |
